Column chromatography is one of the most preferred methods for separation and purification of both solids and liquids. To save time taken up in the process of packing chromatography columns, the pre-packed varieties, which are pre-filled columns used in chromatography testing procedures, have become popular as they accord more time to process the product. The columns, along with instruments, form a key part of the instrument. Large-sized pre-packed chromatography columns that offer several advantages, find application in various types of commercial production.

The global market for pre-packed column chromatography is predicted to grow impressively at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period between 2015 and 2024. Its value is slated to jump from US$1.6 bn in 2015 to US$3.3 bn in 2024.

Rising requirements of end-users in the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical biotechnology, nutraceutical, food and beverages, and water and environmental industries, as well as in academics, research institutes, and analytical laboratories, has bolstered the market for pre-packed chromatography columns. Of them, the biopharmaceutical industry is a major growth driver on account of greater demand for vaccines, statins, and therapeutics. Processing them require pre-packed chromatography purification columns, which helps separate specific chemical compounds from mixtures of compounds.

The pharmaceutical biotechnology industry also accounted for a sizable share in the global pre-packed chromatography columns market in 2015. This was on account of robust demand for purification on a commercial scale for the manufacture of biologics, namely vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Pre-packed chromatography columns find wide application in agriculture and food industries too for detecting pesticides and other additives in foods.

The market for pre-packed chromatography columns is slated to grow due to increasing need for detection and purification in drug discovery and biological research. The analytical laboratory segment and high commercial manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies would further propel the market for pre-packed chromatography columns.

Key Markets for Pre-packed Chromatography Columns

Geographically, the global pre-packed chromatography columns market can be divided into five broad regions – Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. On account of increasing direct and indirect investments by the U.S. government and private companies in chromatography, the market for pre-packed chromatography columns has received a fillip in North America, which commands a dominant share. The markets in Canada and Germany are also registering healthy growth due to investments, funds, and grants from the government. A U.S.-based biological drugs manufacturer Repligen, for instance, acquired German life sciences company Atoll for US$22.5 mn to expand its global footprints in the pre-packed chromatography columns market, in the first half of 2016.

Apart from the U.S., Asia Pacific too is poised to see an upward momentum in the pre-packed chromatography columns market. Rising investments and penetration by key market players in the region will lead to market growth from 2015 to 2024.